The Open University

BA (Honours) in Arts and Humanities (English Language)

This is one of several specialist routes available in our BA (Honours) Arts and Humanities (R14).

The degree starts by developing your understanding of the world we live in through a variety of perspectives, periods and subjects – including art history, classical studies, creative writing, English language, English literature, history, modern languages, music, philosophy and religious studies.

You’ll then take two specialist English language modules, discovering how the English language works, its history, its politics and how it came to be such a hugely influential global language.

Using the illustrated module books, and extensive audio, video and interactive material, you’ll explore communication and creativity in language and its written, spoken and visual potential in diverse and changing cultural and technological settings.

Alongside your study of English language, you can choose to study a second specialism from some of the subjects listed above, entitling you to include both subjects in the name of your degree, or complete your degree with modules chosen from a wide range of options.

Key features of the course

Specialise in the English language within a broad and flexible arts and humanities degree

Develop your critical thinking and communicative skills that will be valuable in the workplace and to further study

Follow up aspects of English language study that particularly interest you

Select a second specialism to complement and enhance your study of English language

Course details

This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

You’ll start Stage 1 with a broad introduction to the arts and humanities followed by up to two modules chosen from a variety of subjects.

Next, at Stages 2 and 3, you'll specialise in the English language in combination with either a second specialism in arts and humanities or study modules from across the arts and humanities curriculum.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.

At The Open University we believe education should be open to all, so we provide a high-quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.

Even though there are no entry requirements, there are some skills that you'll need to succeed. If you're not quite ready for OU study we can guide you to resources that prepare you, many of which are free.

Career relevance

Study of the arts and humanities requires an understanding of human activities in diverse cultural environments and in very different historical circumstances. The breadth of study and range of cultural texts and objects analysed, combined with training in clear thinking and communication, make this degree course relevant to a wide variety of careers, including:

public administration, local government, the civil service, art institutions, and social services